Alias (Forgotten Realms)
Alias is a ctional character in the Forgotten Realms
campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy
role-playing game. Alias is the main character of Azure
Bonds.[1] She also appeared in the computer game, Curse
of the Azure Bonds which was based on the book. Alias
later appears in the sequel Song of the Saurials,[2] and the
standalone book Masquerades.
Alias is an articial being crafted by magic as a private
assassin, slave and tool of those who created her. She is
neither truly human, nor a crude golem or homounculous;
but a truly living being with a soul; which was provided
by her companion, the saurial paladin known as Drag-
onbait. As such, she takes the place of an 'non-born child'
in fullling an ancient prophecy to free the Darkbringer,
Moander.[1]
1 Fictional Biography
As detailed in Azure Bonds, Alias awakens in a tavern
room. She soon discovers that she has a newly acquired
azure colored tattoo imprinted on the inside of her sword
arm extending from her wrist to her elbow; and she has no
memory of how she got there, or where the tattoo came
from. At rst she attributes her memory loss to inebria-
tion and the tattoo as a drunken prank by companions.
Alias is informed by the Innkeeper of the 'Hidden Lady'
that she was found unconscious on the doorstep, and no-
one knows where she came from. A mage, Akabar Bel
Akash introduces himself and oers to investigate her tat-
too; but a simple Detect Magic spell causes Alias severe
pain, and an eruption of azure light from the tattoo. An
attempt to have the tattoo removed by a priest goes even
less well; and Alias nds herself compelled to attack the
hapless priest and nearly kills him.
Before long, Alias becomes the leader of a disparate trio
of adventurers - the mysterious lizard-creature whom she
names Dragonbait, the southern mage called Akabar Bel
Akash and the famed haling "bard" named Olive Rus-
kettle whom the other three are hired to rescue from a red
dragon named Mistinarperadnacles Hai Draco ('Mist').
It is later revealed that Alias herself is in fact a compli-
cated, magically created, articial being intended by her
creators to be their proxy in various nefarious purposes.
Her long term memories were actually granted to her by
her sole benign (but misled) creator and her short term
memory loss is due in part to the gap between the end
of her articial memories and her premature awakening.
1
She was 'programmed' with a variety of unconscious tasks
and desires on behalf of her creators, to full their goals
without even knowing that she had done so. She was also
programmed to attack those who tried to remove such
controls - such as the priest she consulted on awakening.
Aliass adventures involve her defeating each of her cre-
ators in turn, to become free of their control. By the end
of the book, only two are left alive - the Nameless Bard,
and the dark god, Moander; who was discorporated, but
would return to Faerun in the later novel, Song of the
Saurials.[2]
In the rst book, Azure Bonds, Alias is relatively self-
condent and strong-willed. In the later book, Song of the
Saurials,[2] her new self-knowledge coupled with the rel-
atively limited emotional maturity her implanted memo-
ries gave her (the Nameless Bard being a man of extreme
vanity and selshness) began to manifest with more im-
mature behaviours, petulance and lack of emotional con-
trol.
2 Appearance
Alias is a female warrior and at the onset of her story she
is portrayed as an archetypal adventuress, wearing simple
leather armour and chainmail. She is described as tall,
nearing six feet, muscular and beautiful,[3] with a mop
of unruly red hair. She is depicted on the cover artwork
in ceremonial armour, given to her late in the book by
Cassana.[1] The striking (and impractical) appearance of
the armour is attributed to Cassanas vanity. Cassana, one
of Aliass creators, saw Alias both as a toy to entertain her,
and a recreation of herself. She thus fashioned Aliass sig-
nature chainmail armour split open at the middle, bar-
ing the esh between her breasts and oering any sword
an easy target[1] yet enchanting it to protect her better
than solid steel would have done.[2] Cassana clearly did
this purely to amuse herself and to titillate those around
her at her cleverness, and Aliass sex appeal. Dragonbait,
Aliass friend and soulmate, repeatedly nagged her to stop
wearing it, believing that it was immodest;[2] but Alias
refused - supposedly because it was more comfortable
than plate mail; but likely in truth because she was not a
woman without vanity herself and enjoyed the attention
it brought.
2 5 CREATORS

3 Personality through true bardic training, and cannot cast magic or en-
chant with her music. She 'won' her name in a game of
Alias is extremely likeable,; humorous and sarcastic, cards with the true bard Olav Ruskettle, a noted drinker
[4]

but with a noble and tender side her 'father' lacked; and a and gambler.
strong distaste for clerics and priests - conditioning by
Cassana, according to the half-elf Kyre. Despite possess-
ing a brilliant mind, Alias has little emotional maturity. 5 Creators
She grew jealous easily, and it wasn't easy for her to ac-
cept that she couldn't always be the centre of attention.[2]
Alias was created by six powers; although their involve-
Alias clearly favors her revealing armour, and enjoys the
ment in her creation varied widely. The tattoo was to
attention it brings. When helping Zhara to impersonate
be a means of control as well as a branding of owner-
Alias, Dragonbaits rst advice was Don't look modest.
ship by each of the collaborating parties involved in her
Gods know, Alias isn't.[2]
creation. Her primary creator was the Nameless Bard,
Finder Wyvernspur. He fashioned her body as a clone of
Cassana; modied for perfect health, strength and beauty.
He also created her memories; lling her head with his
4 Companions own songs and the desire to sing them. Aliass initial short
term memory loss is actually due to the gap between the
Dragonbait is the rst of the companions encountered by end of her articial memories and her premature awak-
Alias. He physically resembles a greenish, lizardman-like ening.
creature. Incapable of normal speech, his early behavior
Cassana is a wizard; possessed of power, intelligence and
is often clownish and servile but obedient. It is eventually
learned that he is in fact a highly accomplished member cruelty. She organised the group, and supplied her esh
of his race that are known as saurials. His name is ac- to clone into Alias; although unlike a typical clone which
tually an acquired nickname courtesy of Alias; whilst his is weaker than the original, Alias was eectively an im-
true saurial name is Champion. Dragonbait is a pal- proved version of Cassana; being stronger, healthier and
adin and an extremely skilled ghter. He demonstrates younger. Cassana had complete control of Alias through
the wisdom common to paladins with unusual humility; her wand (within a limited radius) and referred to her as
considering his capture and near-sacrice by Phalse as 'Puppet'.
a lesson on the nature of Justice. Like all saurials, he Zrie Prakis is a lich, the dead lover of Cassana. Although
communicates through high-pitched whistles and chirps, a more powerful wizard than her, he was nevertheless
his language augmented by the radiation of emotionally- killed by her in a duel after they fell out. Prakis was
linked scents. in the process of achieving lichdom, and Cassana com-
Akabar Bel Akash is a tall, educated Turmishman. He pleted the process but tied his remaining life force to her
is handsome, and wears the three blue dots on his fore- wand, making him her undead slave. Although super-
head of a scholar of magic. He is a skilled businessman, cially controlled by Cassana, Prakis supported the heroes
of the novel in regrouping in order to steal Cassanas wand
and clearly enjoys the mild adventure of travelling with
his familys goods caravan. A friend of the sage Dim- so that he could kill her. His necromantic abilities were
employed in animating Alias; he referred to her as 'Little
swart, he engineers the opportunity to have a 'real' ad-
venture alongside Alias. Despite her considering him a one'.
greengrocer, and terrifying experiences including be- Phalse was a unique extraplanar entity. Masquerading
ing possessed by the Darkbringer, Moander, Akabar rises initially as a haling (and with haling-like desires for
to the challenge to demonstrate the value of his magical Olive Ruskettle), his true form was that of a beholder-
skills. Akabar prefers Alteration and Divination magic like creature, with mouthed tentacles instead of extra
over directly-damaging spells. He uses his magic to scout eyes.This form could levitate, or use an articial body to
and to enhance the physical abilities of others; enabling walk and ght. Phalse captured Dragonbait and split his
the red dragon Mist to ght toe-to-toe against the Abom- soul to give one to Alias. He had little direct control over
ination of Moander. He is attracted to Alias, but (ro- Alias until he stole Cassanas wand; but instead he du-
mantically) put o by her headstrong nature. He later plicated the work of the other creators to make a dozen
meets and marries her clone Zarah; which hurts her feel- copies. He was an old enemy of Moander, although the
ings terribly. A religious man, despite being captured by reasons were never clear. He referred to Alias as 'One'.
Moander for a second time and imprisoned in the Abyss, Moander the Darkbringer, god of decay, provided the
Akabar uses his magical and spiritual abilities to sacrice life-force to animate Alias. Alias was programmed to
himself to his gods, inspiring Finder to risk his own life seek out his sole avatar, the Abomination of Moander,
slaying the Darkbringer forever. trapped beneath Yulash; and enable it to pass through the
Olive Ruskettle is a haling who claims to be a bard. She walls of the prison which contained it. Moander ram-
is actually a talented thief and minstrel; but has not been paged briey through the realms before battling Mist-
 3

inarperadnacles; both were consumed in a methane-
fuelled explosion when the red dragon ignited Moanders
rotting shell. Moander and his disciples called Alias 'Ser-
vant'.
The 'Fire Knives were a thieves guild which supplied -
nance for the magical operation. They were permitted to
program Alias to attack anyone who sounded (or presum-
ably, looked) like King Azoun IV of Cormyr; but this plot
was spoiled when she heard Giogioni Wyvernspur imper-
sonating Azoun at a wedding. Their name for Alias was
'Weapon'.
showing so much of her body publicly, and was glad
to give the armor back when her charade was over.
Although a priestess, she was a capable ghter with
a quick temper; she had apparently once broken the
arm of her sister-wife Kasim.
Zhara describes meeting other sisters in Song of the
Saurials as follows (quote): One is a sage in Candlekeep,
one a mage in Immersea, one a warrior like yourself from
the eastern lands. I know of two others. One was a thief
who was murdered this past spring. The other is a lady of
some power in Waterdeep.[2]

6 Other versions
7 Abilities
The extraplanar entity Phalse made a dozen slightly varied
copies of Alias. These were described in Azure Bonds as
Alias is a highly skilled and acrobatic ghter; favoring the
follows (quote):[1]
use of swords. Although a ghter by trade, Alias remem-
They were as similar as a batch of bowls a potter might bers more songs than most bards, and can sing like a
throw in a day...they all had her features. Each face was bird. Finder also gave her the strong desire to sing them
framed with hair some shade of red, from reddish black in Shadowdale, where the Harpers were strong. Alias has
to strawberry blonde. Their skin tones covered the spec- considerable other knowledge which is rare in the typical
trum from the pale esh of the north to the swarthy com- ghter, using the Thieves signing language easily, and be-
plexions of the south. A body in the heavy armour of ing better versed in Dragonlore than most living scholars.
Mulhorand Lau beside one in wolfhide robes... The sul-
Aliass magical tattoos, or 'bonds are the mark of her cre-
try slitted dress of a Waterdeep courtesan adorned a body
ators. They are powerfully magical, and will respond as
one over from another dressed in the conservative robes
such to a Detect Magic spell. They eect a permanent
of a Moonshae druid... One gure, wrapped in black, was
Misdirection spell on Alias. On the downside, they en-
equipped with eastern weapons...
able certain individuals to control her, and will force her
The duplicates vanished and were thought destroyed at the to attack anyone who tries to remove them.
end of Azure Bonds; but some appeared in subsequent
Alias has the ability to tap into the collective subcon-
novels:
scious of her tribe - originally Dragonbaits tribe of sauri-
als - and sing of their joys and woes. This is known as
Jade More - Jade was a larcenous version of Alias, soul singing.[2] Alias may also tap into their dreams, and
with loose morals and a wicked sense of humor. She dream them herself. She has been granted the permanent
was a talented thief, and befriended Olive Ruskettle ability of Tongues with respect to saurial, and can speak
whom she worked with for several months before and understand this complex language; even producing
being killed by Flattery for stealing his purse - he aromas to reect her emotional mood.[2]
thought that she was his own 'version' of Alias, Cat.

Cat - Cat is a magic-user. She was taken in by Flattery,

and became his wife and apprentice to gain the reward of
8 Campaign Use
restoring her missing memories ( the same amnesia Alias
experienced in Azure Bonds). She was more seductive Alias is an agent of the Harpers, primarily active in Shad-
than either Alias or Jade, and prepared to use her looks owdale and the Lost Dale. She may be encountered as a
and wiles to manipulate men. source of information, hired as a sell-sword, or encoun-
tered as an opponent.
Zhara[2] - Zhara is a Turmish version of Alias, and Aliass duplicates may be encountered in almost any cam-
a priestess of Tymora. She married Akabar Bel paign, in any role. They all share the traits of physical and
Akash (as his third wife) and traveled with him when mental strength, stubbornness. Her duplicates have thus
he began having prophetic dreams about Moander. far appeared less emotionally childish than Alias; perhaps
Zhara is supercially proud and quick to judge oth- because their sole creator Phalse better understood how
ers - particularly women from other cultures - but to control and manipulate emotions. All have a period of
lacks the self-condence that marks many of her amnesia between their programmed and real memories.
'sisters. For a while, she used Aliass armor to im- They also all possess the power of Misdirection, which
personate her; although Zhara clearly felt humiliated may be highly useful to them and to the party. It is not
4 9 REFERENCES

established whether the duplicates share Aliass uncon-

scious 'missions, or have new ones of their own...
Alias is a featured character in the adventure Curse of
the Azure Bonds (1989).[5] Alias appears with rst edition
AD&D game statistics in Hall of Heroes (1989),[6] and
second edition AD&D game statistics in Heroes Lorebook
(1996).[7]

9 References
[1] Novak, Kate; Grubb, Je. Azure Bonds. TSR. ISBN 0-
14-012130-7.

[2] Novak, Kate; Grubb, Je (1991). Song of the Saurials.

TSR. ISBN 0-14-015966-5.

[3] HammClov. Azure Bonds by Kate Nozak and Je

Grubb. Gods of Dark, swords of Light. Retrieved 2012-
04-09.

[4] HammClov. Azure Bonds by Kate Nozak and Je

Grubb. Gods of Dark, swords of Light. Retrieved 2012-
04-09.

[5] Grubb, Je; MacDonald, George (1989). Curse of the

Azure Bonds (FRC2). Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, Inc. ISBN
0-88038-606-1.

[6] Grubb, Je, Kate Novak, David E. Martin, Jim Lowder,

Bruce Nesmith, Steve Perrin, Mike Pondsmith, and R. A.
Salvatore. Hall of Heroes (TSR, 1989)

[7] Donovan, Dale and Paul Culotta. Heroes Lorebook.

(TSR, 1996)
 5

10 Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

10.1 Text
Alias (Forgotten Realms) Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alias%20(Forgotten%20Realms)?oldid=644070668 Contributors:
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